Folding pedestal.



N0.- 756,927. I PATENTED APR. 12, 1904.

U. H. ASHLEY.

FOLDING PEDESTAL.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2a, 1903.

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PATENTED APR. 12, 1904.

0. H. ASHLEY. FOLDING PEDESTAL. APPLICATION FILED 311N323, 19

Aw I v UNITED STATES Patented April 12,1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

FOLDING PEDESTAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 756,927, dated April 12, 1904. Application filed June 23, 1908. Serial No. 162,777. (No model.)

To aIZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES H. AsHLEY, of the city and county of San Francisco, State of California, have invented a certain new and Improved Folding Pedestal, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a convenient pedestal or stand for caskets and which may be easily adjusted and adapted for caskets of different lengths or may be closely folded for purposes of transportation; and it consists, essentially, of three posts or legs on each side, which posts are provided with adjustable or telescopic heads or tops suitably connected with a system of frame and cross bars, substantially as hereinafter more specifically described, and pointed out in the claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings for a better comprehension hereof, in which" Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved folding pedestal as seen on either side from the inside. Fig. 2 is a similar view as the pedestal will appear when partly closed or shut. Fig. 8 is an end view of pedestal in working position. Fig. 4: is a section of a post as seen through line X X, Fig. 1.

Similar figures of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

My improved folding pedestal I construct as follows: It consists, first, of three posts or legs on each side, of which posts 1 represents the lower sections, which are of any suitable pattern and are provided with necks 1,whichare inserted in the middle sections of the posts, which middle sections'are constructed after the manner of a tube, which tube I designate as 2? The upper sections of the posts are composed of heads 3, having necks 3, which necks are inserted in the tubes 2.

The series of posts above described are connected on each side by a series of frame bars or levers 4:, having their lower ends pivotally attached to the lower ends of the sections 2 of the posts, as will be shown, and their upper ends adapted to engage with each other. 5 represents connecting-hangers whose upper ends are flexibly attached to the heads 3 of the posts and their lower ends to the levers 4,,

as will be shown. 6 represents cross-rods connecting the upper ends of the levers 4. 7 represents similar cross-rods connecting the oppositely-located heads 3 of the upper sections of the posts. 8 represents similar cross-rods connecting the lower ends of the sections 2 of the posts. The ends of the rods 6 are threaded and are provided with nuts 6, comprehending such threads and securing the rods in position. The lower ends of the hangers 5 are provided with screw-pins 5, which pivotally attach them to the hangers 4c. 7 represents nuts engaging with threaded ends with which the cross-rods 7 are provided, securing them in position on the outside of the heads 3,while 7 represents nuts upon the opposite sides of the heads, thus rigidly securing the position of the rods 7. Nuts 8 and 8 perform the same relative functions for the lower crossrods 8, securing them to the lower ends of the sections 2. This arrangement of the posts and cross-rods 7 and 8 affords all requisite rigidity to the frame of the pedestal.

The respective ends of the levers A and hangers 5 being pivotally attached at their respective points of contact with each other and with the posts and cross-bars permit of their easy adjustment to any desired position, either for use or for transportation.

When it is desired to adjust the pedestal to suit the length of any particular casket, the end posts are moved in the desired direction, causing the heads 3 and the necks 3 to rise or fall in the tube 2, according to the respective position desired.

When not in use and it is desired to transport the pedestal to any point, the respective end posts are moved toward each other, so as to meet the middle posts, and when that is accomplished the heads and necks are elevated, permitting the apexes of the levers 4: to yield and become similarly elevated. When it is desired to place the pedestal in position for use, the process is reversed, and the necks 3 drop into the tubes 2, and the apexes of the levers 4 assume a position parallel with the heads 3, when the pedestal is fully extended.

It will be observed that the ends of the crossrods 8 pass through the lower ends of the tubes 2 and through the necks 1 of the lower sections 1, thus attaching sections 1 and 2 securely together.

I preferably use the arrangement of parts as herein illustrated and described; yet it is apparent that there may be many changes in the form, size, and details of construction without relinquishing any advantages of my invention.

I am well aware that it is not new to use a telescopic vertical end to the post of a casketpedestal, and that feature I do not broadly claim; but 1 What I do claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A folding pedestal, comprising end legs and intermediate legs, said legs being ar ranged in pairs with heads slidably mounted in the upper portions of each of said legs, said legs being connected at their upper ends and their lower ends, a pair of levers pivoted at their one ends to each other and at their other ends to the intermediate leg and one of the end legs, with hangers pivoted to said slidable heads and to each of the said levers at a point to one side of the center thereof, said levers Where pivoted to one another, being connected by transverse rods, said rods supporting the object when the legs are contracted so as to bring the upper ends of said rods above the heads of said legs.

2. A folding pedestal comprising end and intermediate legs arranged in pairs with a head slidably mounted in the upper portion of each of said legs, transverse rods connecting the said heads, levers each pivoted at one end of the other and at their other ends to the said legs, the pivotally-connected ends of said levers lying between the said legs, transverse rods connecting the said pivotally-connected ends of said levers, and hangers each at one end pivoted to one of said levers at a point nearer to the pivot of said lever to the leg than to its pivotal connection with the other lever, and at the other end pivoted to the slidable head of said leg.

In testimony whereof I affiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES H. ASHLEY.

Witnesses:

ELLEN M. ASHLEY, ANNE SrMrsoN. 

